• Chelsea signed Cole Palmer from Man City for £42.5m back in the summer
  • The 21-year-old has had a stunning impact since moving to Stamford Bridge 
  • Jack Grealish has had no luck… he’ll now be sweating on his Euros place – It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Pep Guardiola has labelled Cole Palmer ‘a star player’ before the Manchester City academy product makes his first return to the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea spent £42.5million on Palmer in the summer after the forward became frustrated by a lack of opportunities during City’s run to the Treble last season.

The 21-year-old has gone on to flourish at Stamford Bridge, scoring 10 Premier League goals already in a run of form that has seen him earn a full England call up.

‘Cole is exceptional,’ Guardiola said. ‘If he plays regularly, yes [I knew he would perform well]. I didn’t have any doubts about his quality.

‘The way he’s playing is a star player. He wanted the minutes, it was a question of time to show his immense quality. He is a lovely lad and of course I wish him well at Chelsea.’

Pep Guardiola has labelled Cole Palmer a 'star player' ahead of Man City's clash with Chelsea

Pep Guardiola has labelled Cole Palmer a ‘star player’ ahead of Man City’s clash with Chelsea

Palmer left City in a £42.5m deal after becoming frustrated at his lack of opportunities

Palmer left City in a £42.5m deal after becoming frustrated at his lack of opportunities 

Palmer scored a last-minute penalty during the dramatic 4-4 in November before learning of his England call-up the morning after.

‘It will be a tough game but I’m looking forward to going back,’ Palmer said. 

‘It will be strange, a weird feeling, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m very excited to be honest, even though it will be strange.’

The move came about after the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were ahead of Palmer in the pecking order. 

Palmer has starred for Chelsea, scoring 10 Premier League goals already this season

Palmer has starred for Chelsea, scoring 10 Premier League goals already this season

Silva took a heavy knock to the ankle during Tuesday’s Champions League victory at Copenhagen and will be assessed ahead of Saturday.

Jack Grealish is out with a groin problem, likely to keep him on the sidelines for around three weeks, while Josko Gvardiol remains sidelined.

 

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Post source: Daily mail

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